Vibrating apparatus for treating human bodies



Feb. 28, 1950 I P. BERTHOLIN 2,493,977

VIBRATING APPARATUS FOR TREATING HUMAN BODIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1948 PAUL aazzwapmr BY (W 9% M INVENTOR.

Feb. 28, 1950 BERTHOLIN VIBRATING APPARATUS FOR TREATING HUMAN BODIES.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1948 INVENTOR.

' BY Ma awi lfzaxzvgy P. BERTHOLIN Feb. 28, 1950 A VIBRATING APPARATUS FOR TREATING HUMAN BODIES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 21, 1948 JNVENTOR.

\ new: aezeawazznv BY $11M 9 M A? 7'7'0fi/VEY5 Patented Feb. 28 1950 UNITED VIBRATING APPARATUS 'FOR TREATING HUMAN comes Paul BertholimNew York, N. Y.

' Application August 21, 1948, Serial No. 45,451

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to vibrating apparatus for treating the human body.

It is an object of the presentinventi'on t'o make available a vibrating apparatus for treating the human body whichcanbe placed at busy locationswithin cities or in doctors offices to make available vibrating action for the treatment of the body by a mere turn of a switch or by placing of acoin into a slot on the apparatus.

It is another object "of the present invention to provide a vibrating-apparatus "for the treatment of the human body which has a vertically adjustable vibrating element which can be adjusted by a simple hand knob on the apparatus to difierent elevations suitable to the di'fierent height of persons using the apparatus and wherein there is provided on the "apparatus hand holds which the personcan'grasp to bring his body into tight engagement with the vibrating element and wherein these hand holds will 'be automatically returned and retained in positions where they may be easily grasped'by the next person to use the apparatus.

It is another object of, thepresentinvention to provide a vibrating apparatus for treating the human body wherein the operating parts are contained in an adjustable unit whereby a rigid driving connection can be maintained'between the driving motor and the vibrating head and wherein the body engaging cushioned and resilient element is made .fast to the vibrating head by a simplebracket fixed .to the head and to the cushioned element.

It is another object of the present invention toprovide a simple control meansforithe electric driving motor accessible 'to a foot while the person being treated on the apparatus 'is standing upon a platform and whereby the speed of the vibrating motor can be controlled at the will of the person using the apparatus. V

Other objects .of th'epr'esent invention are to provide a vibrating apparatus for treatingthe human body of a type adapted to be disposed in busy places orin doctors 'oflices'an'd o'f apedestal variety, which is of simple construction, is inexpensive to manufacture,. is 'easyito assemble, has a minimum number of parts, is sturdy and rugged, is easy to adjust, of pleasing "appearance anclis efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention; reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig.1"is"aperspective view of th'evibrating tip- Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view "taken on I line 5-'5 of Fig.2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view ef the lifting rack disposed in -the head-assembly sleeve. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary and perspective view of the driving'weight.

Fig. 8 is-an expl'oded'view oftheupperend of.

the vibrating head, the parts being shown in perspective.

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view of "the apparatus.

Fig. 10 is avertical sectional view taken through 'the foot control mechanism lying in the base "'of may stand to secure the benefit from the same.

Extending upwardly from the rear of the platform is a pedestal orupright portion l6 having an opening H in its upper end through which is adjustable a vibrating head assembly [8 having a body engaging face f9 adapted to engage with.

theback ofjthe useror'with the chest of the user. The base t5 hassufiicient weight to support the pedestal l6 and the entire apparatus can be backed up against a wall so that little space will be consumed by the apparatus. The base 15 is hollow, as shown in Fig. 10, and has a bottom closure 2|. On the bottom closure is a control element 22 having an operating arm 23 and-a lead wire 24. The arm 23 is adapted to be operated by a foot lever 25 pivoted as at 26, Fig. 10, to the base l5 and having a bifurcated portion 21 eX- tending over a pin 28 of the arm 23. A spring 29 extending between the foot lever 25 and the bottom 2| normally urges the foot lever to a raised position and "a lip portion '31 engages with 66. v the speed of the operating shaft 6|. 64 has a well 61 in which an eccentric weight 68 thereto are laterally spaced flanged retainingrings 35 and 36. Extending upwardly and secured to these rings by set screws 31, are respectivel spring retaining tubes 38 and 39 having respectively supporting springs 4| therein for supporting laterally spaced vertically extending hollow members 42 and 43 slidably connected to the tubes 38 and 39. These members 42 and 43 'form a part of the vibrating head assembly I8.

The lower ends of these members 42 are flanged as indicated at 44 to prevent the slippage of the springs 4I therepast and also to prevent the outward displacement of the members 42 from the upper ends of the tubes 38 and 39 by engagement with the respective inwardly bent ends of the tubes as indicated at 45.

The vibrating head assembly further includes a sheet metal casing 41 having a cylindrical top formation 49. A brace 49 extends transversely within the casing 41 and is secured thereto. The members 42 and 43 extend upwardly through the brace and are held therein against lateral displacement. Connected to the lower end of the casing I8 and depending therefrom is a U-shaped rigging member I having twisted legs 52 and 53 and a bottom portion 54. The bottom portion 54 has a spring 55 connected to it by a clamp 56 for supporting the electric motor 32. Extending between the legs 52 and 53 is a transversely extending brace 51 having a verticall extending slot 58 containing a fastening screw 59 which is extended into the motor 32 whereby to support the motor and to limit its vertical displacement.

Extending upwardly from the motor 32 is a rotating shaft 6I. This shaft extends through a resilient grommet 62 in the brace 49. The upper end of the shaft H has a reduced diameter portion 63 which enters the revolving weight casing 64 to have clutching engagement with a shaft 65 in the casing 64, Fig. 7. The engagement of the operating shaft with the shaft 65 is indicated at The shaft 65 accordingly will be driven at The casing is rotated. In order to prevent the vertical displacement of the shaft 6| from the shaft 65, a spring 69 is connected between a screw ll of a set collar 12 and the weight casing 94, a hook 13 is secured to the upper end of the spring 69 and may be detachably connected to a lug 15 projecting from the casing 64. Upon the casing 64 there may be fitted a cover 11 which is secured by screws entering holes 18, Fig. 7, on the top of the casing. This cover will prevent the vertical disalso be supported upon the members and held against fore and aft displacement relative to the members.

Rigidly secured to the weight casing 64 is a vertically extending bracket 84 which is welded to the inner end of a U-shaped member 85. The vibrations set up by the weight 68 are imparted to the casing 64 and to the U-shaped member 85. Secured to the forward ends of the U-shaped member is a plate 86 having a rubber face 81 thereon. This rubber face 81 is preferabl vulcanized to the plate 86. The plate has inwardly extending formations 88 centrifugally spaced thereabout to receive ends of cushioning springs 89. The member 85 extends through a central opening 9| in a plate 92 having a peripheral flange 93 tight fitted with the cylindrical formation 48 of the assembly casing 41. This plate 92 also has depressions 94 for respectively receiving the inner ends of the springs 89. Securing pins 95 and 91 respectively secure the ends of the springs to the projections 88 and the depressions 94 of the plate 92. A flexible leather or plastic covering 98 extends over the face of the rubber 81 to provide the body engaging face I9 of the vibrating head and extends rearwardly to enclose the space between the plates 86 and 92 and the springs 89 and rearwardly over the exterior surface of the cylindrical formation 48. When the weight 68 is rotated, the vibration will finally be imparted to the head surface I9 and this vibration will be in turn imparted to the body engaging with the surface, whereby the body will be invigorated, freshened and relaxed. The vibrations are in both horizontal and vertical planes. In order that the engaging vibrating surface I9 can be adjusted to different heights for different size persons, a rack MI is secured within an opening in the vertically extending head assembly member 43, Fig. 2. Journalled in the upright portion I6 and extending through the same is a shaft I02 having a pinion gear I03 thereon engaging with the rack. A regulator knob I04 is secured to the shaft I02 and as the shaft is turned by the knob, the vibrating head assembly will be elevated or lowered. The assembly will be held in its vertical position b the springs 4! in the tubes 38 and 39 and a clamp lock I05 engaging the member 42, Fig. 5. The clamp I05 extends from a threaded shaft I06 having a turn knob I01 thereon. This shaft I06 has threaded engagement with a boss plate I08 fixed to the wall of the upright portion H5. The upward movement of the vibrating head assembly is facilitated by the springs 4|.

The rear of the cylindrical formation 48 has an opening I I0 which is closed by a cover I I I. By removing the cover, access may be had to the vibrating weight device. The rear of the upright portion I6 has an opening II2 which is closed by a cover II3 extended thereover. By removing this cover access can be had to the interior of the upright portion and particularly to the motor 32 therewithin.

In order to make good body engagement with the engaging surface I9, there are provided handle grips II5 connected respectively between brackets I I6 and I I1 mounted on the sides of the portion I6. These handle grips are urged outwardly from the portion I6 by the action of leaf springs II9 fixed within the brackets by screws I2I and acting upon a square or diametrically extending face I22 on the handle grip I I 5 and upon an upwardly extending portion I23 thereof.

On the casing 41 are height indications I25 wherebythe user of the apparatus can determine ment of patients.

the proper location lor the-vibrating surface 19 ifor his-hig'ht. The regulator knob l M is turned until indicator 1'26 is adiacent ithe'properheight of the individual using the apparatus-. IIt will 'be understood' that' if' desirei' a;coin operating switch may be disposed within the upright portion l6 and within the cable wherby' to close the electric circuit extendingthrough the motor and the control element 22. This control switch ca-n be disposed in rear of a -'s'lo't plate 127 on the upright portion 16. V 1

As the user grasps the handles, he -brings the surface 'I 9 to'bear against his body eandwiththe foot he'can stepupon'the foo'tleveriS and bring bration effect will "be increased.

It will be apparent that'this apparatus can be located at locations where there are ta largeinumber of people and can be used in "a simple and effective manner by each ,person desiring to use the same. The apparatus can also be placed in-a home .and used there at intervals or the apparatus can'be disposed in adoctors oflice for treat- It should be further apparent lthatthere has been provided a vibrating apparatus whiohis easy to operate, simple to adjust and construct and eificient in operation.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and'scope of the present invention as 'definedby the ap pended claims.

I claim:

1. .A vibrating apparatus for the 'treatment of human bodies comprising a base. serving as a platform, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base, a vibrating head assembly slidably and adjustably connected to the upright portion for adjustment to different elevations depending upon the height-of the person using the appara' I tus. means accessible to the userfor vertically adjusting the head assembly, said head assembly having a body engaging element extending forwardly for the engagement with the body of the person standing on the plaltformand an operating mechanism connected to the body engaging element to transmit vibrations thereto, indicia means on the vibrating head assembly to give indication to the user of the apparatus of the height to which the body engaging element has been extended and means extending between the upright portion and the vibrating head .assembly for manually locking the head assembly in its adjusted position.

2. A vibrating apparatus for the treatment of human bodies which comprises a base serving as a platform, an upright portion extending upwardly from the base, a vibrating head assembly slidably and adjustably connected to the upright portion for adjustment to different elevations depending upon the height of the person using the apparatus, means accessible to the user for vertically adjusting the vibrating head assembly, said vibrating head assembly including a body engaging element extending forwardly for engagement with the body of the person standing on the platform, and operating mechanism connected to the body engaging element in order to transmit vibrations thereto, handle gripping means-extending outwardly from Psa'i'd \uprlghtportion and adapted to be gra'sped'by theperson standing on the plat- 1 form, and spring means for urging said handle grippingmeans'outwardly from said uprightporti'on.

3. A vibrating apparatus for the treatment of human'bodies'which comprisesabase serving as I a platform, an upright portion extending upwardly from sai'd'base, a vibrating head assembly sli'dablyand adjustably connected to said upright portion "for adjustment to different elevations depending upon the height of the person using the apparatus, and means accessible to the user for vertically adjusting the vibrating head element,

mation with a front opening. a plate having 'a central opening therein fitted onto said front opening, a plurality :of circumferentially spaced springs secured to the front of said plate,:anoper ating mechanismconnected to the body engaging element to transmit vibrations thereto, said operating mechanism having a portion thereof extending through said opening in said plate, said body engaging element being connected to the forward ends of said circumferentially spaced springs, and-a cover of flexible material-extending over said body engaging element, said springs, and said plate, and over the top formation of said casing.

4. A vibrating apparatus for the treatment of human bodies, which comprisesaba'se serving as aplatforman upright portion extending upwardly from said base, a vibrating head assembly slidably and adjustably connected to :said'upright portion .for adjustment to different elevations depending :upon the height of the person using the apparatus, means accessible to the user .for vertically adjustin said vibrating head assembly, a 'bodyengaging element extendingforwardly for engagement with the body of the person standing on said platform, and an operating mechanism for transmitting vibrations to said body engaging element, said operating mechanism comprising an electric motor mounted in said vibrating heat assembly and adjustable therewith, a shaft extending upwardly from :said electric motona weight casin connected to said body engagingalemenha shaft therein connected with said shaft which extends upwardly from said electric motor, and a weight rotatable in said weight casing and operably connected to said last mentioned shaft. I

5. A vibrating apparatus for the treatment of human bodies, which comprises, a base serving as a platform, an upright portion extending upwardly from said base, a vibrating head assembly slidably and adjustably connected to said upright portion for adjustment to different elevations, depending upon the height of the person using the apparatus, means accessible to the user for vertically adjusting said vibrating head assembly, said vibrating head assembly including a body engaging element extending forwardly for engagement with the body of the person standing on the platform, and an operating mechanism connected to said body engaging element and adapted to transmit vibrations thereto, said operating mechanism including an electric motor mounted within said vibrating head assembly, a speed control element connected to said electric motor, a foot lever for operating se saw a source of electric power.

6. A vibrating apparatus for the treatment of human bodies, which comprises, a base serving as aplatform, an upright portion extending upwardly from said base, a vibrating head. assembly slidably and adjustably connected to said upright portion for adjustment to different elevations depending upon the height of the person using the apparatus, means accessible totheuserforvertically adjusting said vibrating head assembly, and an operating mechanism for transmitting vibrations to said vibrating head assembly, said vibrating head assembly including a body engaging element which extends forwardly for engagement with the body of theperson standing on the platform and using the apparatus, and said means for vertically adjusting said vibrating head assembly including laterally spaced vertically extending tubes mounted in said upright portion and extending upwardly from said base, supporting springs in said vertically extending tubes, a plurality of vertically extending members depending from said vibrating head assembly having their ends slidably fitted into said tubes and supported by said springs, a rack associated with one of-said vertically extending members depending from said vibrating head assembly, a pinion engaging said rack, a shaft extending from said pinion through said upright portion to the front side thereof, and a control knob on said shaft for rotating said shaft and adjusting said vibrating head assembly.

'7. A Vibrating apparatus for treatment of human bodies, which comprises, a base serving as a platform, an upright portion extending upwardly from said base, a vibrating head assembly slidably and adjustably connected to said upright portion for adjustment to different elevations depending upon the height of the person using the apparatus, means accessible to the user for vertically adjusting said vibrating head assembly, and an operating mechanism connected to said vibrating head assembly for transmitting vibrations thereto, said vibrating head assembly including a body engaging element which extends forwardly of said upright portion for engagement with the body of a person standing on said vibrating head I assembly including laterally spaced vertically extending tubes mounted in said upright portion and extending upwardly from said base, supporting springs in said vertically extending tubes, a plurality of vertically extending members dependin from said vibrating head assembly and having their ends slidably fitted into'said tubes and supported upon said springs, a rack associated with one of said verti cally extending members, a pinion engaging said rack, a shaft extending from said pinion through said upright portion to the front side thereof, a control knob on said shaft by which rotation of said shaft and adjustment of said vibrating head assembly may be effected, a clamp adapted to engage the other vertically extending member, a shaft for operating said clamp extending through said upright portion, and a hand knob on said shaft for locking said vibrating head'assembly in an adjusted position after said adjustment has been effected through said pinion and rack.

8. In a vibrating apparatus for treatment of human bodies, a vibrating head assembly which comprises a body engaging element extending forwardly for engagement with the body of the person using said vibrating apparatus, a plurality of laterally spaced vertically extending tubes, supporting springs in said respective vertically extending tubes, a plurality of vertically extendin members depending from said vibrating head assembly, said vertically extending members having their ends slidably fitted into said tubes and supported by said springs, an electric motor mounted in said vibrating head assembly, a shaft extending upwardly from said electric motor, a weight casing connected to said body engaging element and shaft, and a weight rotatable in said weight casing and operably connected to said shaft.

PAUL BER'IHOLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,175,360 Johansen Mar. 14, 1916 2,068,992 Larsh Jan. 26, 1937 

